EasyPy3: Python for Beginners
EasyPy3 is aimed at complete beginners to Python, giving a comprehensive introduction to the programming language. You won’t just be looking at the screen and watching someone code, nor will you just listen to someone go on and on about the theory. The course is designed to give students multiple opportunities to have hands-on experience, keeping the student engaged so learning can be made fun. EasyPy3 aims to give you a good understanding of the topic in simple terms with visual aids before showing you how to code it in Python. The course covers all the topics required for you to become an Entry-Level Python Programmer.
Introduction to Python
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What a computer program is and how it is run
Computer language vs. programming languages
Complied vs. interpreted programming languages
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What Python is and how it started
What makes Python special and what it's used for
The different versions of Python available
By the end of this lesson, you will know how to:
Install Python for your operating system
Use an IDE offline and online
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the first section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in the Introduction to Python.
Learning the Basics
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What a Python function is
How to use the print function
How to make your first Python program
A guide on what to do if you are stuck on a coding exercise.
By the end of this lesson, you will know how to:
Use speech marks in your output
Make a new line in your output
Use multi-line string
Use multiple arguments
Use separator and end arguments
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
The three main data types; strings, integers and floats
The difference between the data types
Type casting - converting data types
Take this short quiz to make sure you've understood the different data types. Please do not use Python to answer the questions, you should be able to do it on your own.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Standard arithmetic operators
Floor division, modulo and exponent operators
How to use the operators in Python
The operators' priority in Python
This project can be looked at as a course project, we will revisit it in each section to update the code and add more features. In the first part, we will program a basic calculator based on the things you've learnt in this section.
Also, you will receive some general tips on projects to maximise your learning.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the second section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in Learning the Basics. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
Talking to the Computer
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What variables are
How to create variables
How to use variables
How to correctly name variables
By the end of this lesson, you will know how to:
Do arithmetic operations with variables
Assign new values to already existing variables
Swap multiple variable values
Use shortcut assignment operators
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Pythagoras' theorem
How to use variables to do calculations
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
String operators and how to use them
Different ways to use variables with print function
The format method and f-strings
How to make comments in your code
Take this short quiz to make sure you've understood formatting, string operators and comments. Please do not use Python to answer the questions, you should be able to do it on your own.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What the input function is
How to use the input function
Things you can do with the input function
In the second part of this project, we will make the calculator user-friendly by using the things you've learnt in this section, namely variables and input function.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the third section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in Talking to the Computer. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
Using Logic in Python
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Boolean values in Python
Comparison operators and how to use them
The operators' priority in Python
Take this short quiz to make sure you've understood Boolean values and comparison operators. Please do not use Python to answer the questions, you should be able to do it on your own.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
The if statement
The if-else statement
Nested if-else statements
The elif statement
In part three of this project, we will update the code to make the calculator even more user friendly by using the comparison operators and if-elif-else statements.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Logical operators and how they work
The operators' priority in Python
In this project, we will program an income tax calculator using all the things you've learnt so far, with a focus on comparison and logical operators.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
The while loop
The else branch
The break statement
The continue statement
In this project, we will program a game using all the things you've learnt so far, with a focus on the while loop.
We will also briefly cover Python modules and how to use one.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
The for loop
The else branch
The break statement
The continue statement
The range function
In this project, we will program a voucher code generator using all the things you've learnt so far, with a focus on the for loop and range function.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the fourth section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in Using Logic in Python. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
Storing Collections of Data
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
How to create lists
Access, update and delete lists values
Indexing
Length function
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What methods are
String methods
String indexing
String slicing
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
List methods
List variable vs normal variables
List slicing
Joining and multiplying lists
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Membership operators
For loop with lists
List comprehension
Comparing lists
List functions
In this project, we will program a security system using all the things you've learnt so far, with a focus on lists and methods.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Sequence types
Mutability
How to create and use tuples
Tuple methods
In part four of this project, we will update the program so we have a fully working calculator using the while loop and tuple.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What a Python dictionary is
The key-value pair
How to use dictionaries
Dictionary methods
In this project, we will program a register and login system using the dictionary data type and everything else you've learnt so far.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the fifth section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in Storing Collections of Data. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
Personalised Instructions
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
The purpose of creating functions
How a function works
Typical errors when invoking a function
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
What parameters are
Positional vs. keyword arguments
Arbitrary arguments (*args)
Arbitrary keyword arguments (**kwargs)
Default parameters
The return instruction
In the fifth and final part of this project, we will update the code so the program is written with functions.
By the end of this lesson, you will know:
Scopes
Local scope
Global scope
The global keyword
Take this short quiz to make sure you've understood variable scopes and the global keyword. Please do not use Python to answer the questions, you should be able to do it on your own.
In this project, we will program a game using everything you've learnt in the course, with a focus on functions.
We will also be using a new Python module.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the sixth section!
You should now be prepared to take the section quiz which will let you know if you've understood the things taught in Personalised Instructions. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
The End
A final challenge to demonstrate your skills.
Congratulations, you've made it to the end of the course!
You should now be prepared to take the course exam which will test your knowledge on all the sections taught in this course. Please do not use Python to answer these question, you should be able to answer them on your own.
Now you have all the skills needed to be a junior programmer! This may be the end of the course but your journey has just begun.
